Print edition: 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The Chiefs stuck by Todd Haley's quarterback plan at practice Wednesday. Tyler Palko was first in line during position drills, and the Chiefs said he took about 60 percent of the starter's snaps, with the rest going to Kyle Orton.
Haley again indicated Palko would start Sunday's game against the Bears in Chicago. But Haley also said that he won't hesitate to change quarterbacks during the game if events warrant and he believes the recently acquired Orton is ready to play.
"We've got to get ready to win a big game," Haley said. "We'll do it by whatever means possible. If it takes playing three quarterbacks and going wildcat 20 plays, we've got to do that."
Realistically, Haley's choices are down to Palko, who started the last two games for the injured Matt Cassel and committed seven turnovers, and Orton, who joined the Chiefs last week. That Haley split the starter's work almost 50-50 in practice between Palko and Orton indicates he's having trouble deciding between the two.
"The number one task is to get Tyler to continue to improve and eliminate some of the things that he's done that need to be better," Haley said, "and at the same time to get Kyle ready to go in a limited amount of time in this offense and with these offensive players."
By splitting the practice snaps, is Haley giving enough work to either player to allow the Chiefs to reach the goal?
"I obviously picked (that split) for a reason," Haley said. "We need to get Tyler to continue to improve, and we need to get a new player integrated into our system and our offense here pretty quick.
"There's just not enough (practice snaps) to go around. It's a big challenge for us. It's a great challenge to integrate any player into your system, let alone a quarterback, and in a short amount of time. That's what we're working on."
Palko said he isn't bothered by Orton's looming presence. But Orton's arrival gives the Chiefs a legitimate alternative. The only backup in uniform for the last two games was rookie Ricky Stanzi, whom Haley appears hesitant to play.
"I just go by what Todd tells me," Palko said. "I'm the starter and Kyle is going to get (snaps), and whoever gives the team the best chance to win, he'll play.
"I have enough to worry about right now with continuing to try to get better every day in practice and trying to focus on what the coaches are asking me to do and executing the game plan. All that other excess stuff on the outside, I can't really worry about that. I don't have enough time."
The bigger issue may be the readiness of Orton. He played in a similar system with the Denver Broncos before he was released last week. But he hasn't played with any of the Chiefs' backs or receivers other than Thomas Jones, a teammate several years ago with the Bears.
"We've got to get him ready to play," Haley said. "That process has already started. We've got to get (snaps) to get a guy that hasn't been here ready to go. He's going to have to show ... an ability to understand the offense, number one, how we speak in the huddle, how we speak at the line of scrimmage. He's a bright guy. He's on it, and I don't think learning it will be an issue. It will be more handling the issues that go with it.
"He has to show he understands personnel. That's always a little bit of a trick. But it's very, very important. It's not something that just happens overnight. That's a critical, critical factor — understanding each and every one on your team, their strengths and weaknesses. That includes everyone on offense.
Haley acknowledged that gaining familiarity with new teammates takes time.
"All these quarterbacks have the ability to throw the football," Haley said. "It just comes down to where the ball needs to be and who responds to what kind of throws."
Orton indicated he would prefer more time, but he accepts the Sunday deadline to be ready.
"It's not a perfect world," Orton said. "You just try to do the best you can and prepare as hard as you can. That's one thing I've always tried to pride myself on, is being the most prepared guy on the field — and that will be the same approach I'll take this week.
"No matter how similar the system is, there are nuances and little things that really make a difference. For me, it's just a race to see how fast I can understand those and learn those."
